Eliezer’s Ange by Eden Auclair

 

[ latin for prologue ]

Cassiopeia was at an utter loss as she walked down the promenade of Satin Leaf. The tears streaking down her face seemed to be endless as she pondered over her thoughts. She was miserable, genuinely worried for herself; she had no idea what she would do now. Receiving the news that the coffee shop would be closing for good ruined her second by second once Autry and Archer confirmed the bitter news.

I’d have to give up my dainty loft and perhaps take off a semester or two, the thought came across her mind painfully. The coffee shop-slash-diner had given her an ideal life being that it was a high-class eatery. With that money, she was able to help her family, even just a little, pay the expensive medical bills that came with Slater’s AVM.

But now it was being stripped away from her, much like every ounce of happiness she had felt just hours ago. The shop was not only the source of her income but her happiness as well. Carousels and Dinges, a coffeehouse by morning and diner by night, was the foundation of her university days.

She could vividly recall the day two years ago when she exchanged tearful goodbyes with her mama, papa, and brother. From Fort Lauderdale to Florida State in Tallahassee, the seven-hour drive was not enough to stop her tears. She had left her family, her home, and the remnants of what Ansel and her once were. She was entering another world, becoming a diffident version of herself. Cassiopeia had been lonely alone, thrown into a world of harsh realities, a world where dreams ceased to exist and she was dared to start anew.

And starting anew is what she did.

Thus, the beginning of Cassiopeia and Carousels and Dinges.

Cassiopeia reminisced pulling into the very first café her eyes fell upon in the foreign city of Tallahassee in a tired haze and desperate need of freshly brewed tea—her symptoms for driving hours on end. She had ordered an orange chamomile tea and situated herself on a barstool against the counter. Upon entering the café, she was entranced, and once seated, she glanced around, falling in love with the retro vintage-themed style shop.

The vivid memories brought fresh tears to her eyes, and she harshly sloshed them away. The sides of the shop were lined with red and mint booths, while the windowpanes of the front were lined with teal metal wired bistro sets on either side. It screamed vintage with its fluorescent neon signs and lights that lined the ceilings in vibrant colors. The shop called her name with its checkered patterned counters, the red lamps hanging in every booth, and the jukebox sitting cozily in the back corner. The glass-paned windows of the shop gave the perfect view of the bustling life of downtown Tallahassee. It immediately felt just like home to Cassiopeia and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

The memory collapsed in her head before she could continue reminiscing and like the waves roughly crashing against the shore, something raucously brought her back to her current reality. As she wandered around, she continued musing over her choices. She couldn’t even call her best friend—best friend? Is he still my best friend?

§

Eliezer’s eyes acted on their own accord, snapping up to her figure as she wandered down the promenade. It didn’t come as much of a surprise to him that he caught sight of her across the street as soon as he stepped out of the bookshop—how could he miss her? She was the epitome of perfection—beautiful, breathtaking, divine—he’d never miss his little ange.

Leaving her this morning in the coffee shop left him feeling unsettled. Cassiopeia was falling apart and saying he was worried was an understatement. He wanted, no, he needed to know what was wrong with her, but she was too damn stubborn. Of course, she was, she’s my girl after all.

And so, one could only imagine just how livid he was when he saw the tears streaming down her face and her shoulders shaking. Instinctively, he went after her, needing to know what was wrong. And if that pretty boy was the reason for her tears, I would gladly break his face, he thought as he jogged across the promenade to her.

“I’m s-so sorry,” Cassiopeia stuttered when Eliezer walked right into her. He found her stutter terribly cute and her voice undeniably alluring.

“Don’t apologize.” His faint English accent warmed her insides as his arms went around her waist, catching her from falling. “What’s wrong, beautiful?”

“Nothing,” she said softly, and grasped his shoulders to steady herself. He stopped himself from letting a rude remark slip past his lips, but he was certainly losing his patience with her.

I need to know, he swore in his head; I need to know what’s wrong, or else how will I fix this?

“Cassiopeia,” her name rolled off his tongue smoothly, almost making her crumble to her knees, “come on, get in.” He nodded to his car along the sidewalk where they were standing.

“No, it’s okay.” She shook her head.

“Cassiopeia, get in,” he demanded through gritted teeth and immediately regretted it. Fuck, he swore in his head as she shivered getting into his sleek black Audi. “Please,” he added gently and she nodded. He closed her door before walking over to his side. He hadn’t meant to be so harsh but he wasn’t used to softening his tone, especially when his heart was made of ice.

But the little angel was slowly melting his stone-cold heart.

“Please tell me what’s wrong,” Eliezer prodded gently once he was settled in the driver’s seat. Hopefully, she’ll finally tell me, he thought impatiently.

She was silent for a moment but once her lips softly parted, they trembled and a body-wracking sob ripped through her. “I don’t know, the coffee shop is closing, my family, just... and I-I was, urgh,” she cried in frustration, burying her face in her palms. Her eyes widened behind her hands realizing how easily she shared her struggles with the man next to her but couldn’t even tell her best friend.

“Breathe, Cassiopeia.” He gently pried her hands from her face and then gently brushed her tears away. “Talk to me,” he said softly.

She shrugged. “There’s just so much between the coffee shop, my family, and I have to pay rent for my loft in a week, but with the shop closing, I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle it. I feel like I’m drowning.”

“Well, now you’re my personal assistant,” he said out of nowhere, laying his hand on her bare thigh. Her eyes flickered down to his large, calloused hand, and gooseflesh rose along her skin, her body longing to feel more of the spark that crackled between them just like every time in the past.

Cassiopeia stilled then, despite a slight shiver raking up along her spine that didn’t go unnoticed by Eliezer. Her eyes softly fluttered and her lips parted. His eyes focused on the elegant column of her neck, deeply desiring to kiss and bite the supple skin, leaving dark purple flowers in its wake.

“What?” She finally turned to stare at him wide-eyed and searching but there was not a drop of pity in his irises, only desperation.

Smooth, real fucking smooth, a voice sarcastically retorted in his head.

“You’re my personal assistant now. I’ve been needing one forever, and lately, my colleagues have been on my ass because I’m a mess and unorganized,” he sighed tiredly.

“I don’t know, we barely know each other, Eliezer,” she managed quietly.

He chuckled deeply. “Don’t worry about that, amour, we have lots of time to get to know each other.” A shy grin curled the corner of his lips and Cassiopeia blushed faintly, shaking her head.

“I don’t... know,” she said slowly, pondering the idea, and Eliezer inwardly beamed, please say yes, please give us a chance, give me a chance, Cassiopeia. “I don’t- I can’t be your personal assistant,” she fought back stubbornly. His jaw clenched; his control was slipping little by little.

“Why not?” He shot back rudely, narrowing his eyes.

“I just can’t,” she suddenly answered indignantly. Her eyes met his for a moment before she glanced away and sighed tiredly. Her heart was screaming yes, but her mind left her feeling unsure.

Silence settled between them, only the sound of their harsh and soft breaths mixing together. Her eyes were focused on her lap while his eyes burned into her. The longer the silence stretched, the more Eliezer felt out of control.

Until he finally snapped.

“Cassiopeia, if you don’t take up my proposal, I will make sure you get no other job in this city,” he threatened. Her eyes sharply cut to his in surprise before they flared dangerously. Beautiful, his mind praised and by the stirring of his cock, it certainly agreed too. Eliezer could see her mind turning over through her translucent eyes but he simply didn’t care at this point, his want and desire to have her was far too arduous. A grin slowly crept upon his lips, seeing her mouth open and eyes narrow.

“Fuck you,” she said calmly, sitting back in her seat and staring straight ahead.

“That can be arranged, ange,”he replied.